Tea Party mega-donors poured hundreds of millions into the 2012 election, and one of their key goals was to keep taxes low for the rich. Had Romney won, their investments could have paid off mightily. Here's a look at how what they donated compares with what they'd have saved under Romney.

Barack Obama may have said, "There are no red states or blue states, just the United States," but when it comes to our online shopping and bill-paying patterns, there are some notable divides in our habits.

Despite the din from the Occupy Wall Street crowd, not everybody dislikes financial institutions -- at least, not their own. A new poll shows a much higher approval rating for our banks than we give to the folks in Washington.

While Congress and President Obama battle over ways to "fix" Social Security, the small conservative seniors group the Association of Mature American Citizens sees a possible solution to part of the reform brouhaha -- a Social Security IRA.
In a recent poll, 80% of the members of the small group that bills itself as "the conservative alternative to AARP," said they support the idea of a Social Security IRA being part of a comprehensive Social Security reform package.

Unless Republicans and Democrats can agree on budget legislation to keep the federal government running, a shutdown at midnight Friday looms. From a political and financial perspective, if that shutdown happens, there will be a few clear winners, some who break even, and a whole lot of losers. DailyFinance breaks it down:

The U.S. set the forces of globalization in motion, and now more than ever, it's clear we're suffering the consequences: high unemployment, stagnant or declining incomes, and rising costs for goods. Can the policies of the surging Tea Party provide solutions, or will they just make matters worse?

Some communities question if they can function along the Spartan economic guidelines touted by Tea Party activists. One place those municipal leaders might want to examine is Colorado's second-largest city. It's a laboratory in draconian fiscal conservatism.

Target, Best Buy and 3M lost their top rankings in an index compiled by an influential gay-rights group after the companies made significant campaign donations to an organization that backs the election of an anti-gay political candidate.

Right-wing radio and television host Glenn Beck, who has ranted against public education, is ready to dole out his own brand of private education. Beck University, which will offer online classes in faith, hope and charity starting today, also offers plenty of fodder for skepticism.